Shelf to hold working tools for lubrication hoists



Sept. 13, 1949, T. M. HUGHES 2,481,595

SHELF TO HOLD WORKING TOOLS FOR LUBRICATION HOISTS Filed Feb. 6, 1947 Thom as M.Hughes Patented Sept. 13, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHELF TO HOLD WORKING TOOLS FOR LUBRICATION HOISTS 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a portable and foldable shelf for holding work tools, drain buckets and so forth, needed by the men when draining and lubricating a motor car or doing other work thereon.

This shelf, when not in use, can be folded flat taking up very little room, so that it may be easily put away under the work bench.

This tool shelf forms a much needed addition to the implements usually carried in the shop of a gasoline filling station or as an adjunct to any other machine shops or repair shops. This shelf may be used on all types of lubrication racks or hoists.

The objects of the invention will be understood from the subjoined description with the aid of the attached drawing.

One embodiment of the invention is herein shown and described:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the tray or shelf forming the subject matter of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of Figure 1 and in open position;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the shelf folded for storing;

Figure 4 is still another front elevation of the shelf as suspended under the rails or beams of the hoist.

In the drawing like numerals denote the same details in the different views.

Numeral I represents the floor or bottom of the shelf, which is shown of rectangular shape and perfectly fiat. This floor may be made of thin metal plate or of woodboard or composition to be fairly light.

At each end of the floor I0 is provided a suspending member, indicated in general by numeral II, which is constructed in the shape of a gate and consists of two, parallel supporting straps I2 made of flat metal bands with bent back outer ends I3 to form hooks for suspending the shelf in position under the hoist or lubricating rack. The gate II is hinged to the short end of the floor by links I4 so as to be upwardly and inwardly foldable over the floor I0, in the direction of arrows X in Figure 2. The gate is reinforced by a metal brace I5 fastened by rivets 20 or screws or welded to the straps I2. This brace I5 also serves as a convenient handle for holdin up the shelf preparatory to attaching it under the hoist rails.

As shown in Figure 3, the shelf folded takes very little room with the supporting member II lying flat on top of the shelf and the hooks I3 resting on the floor Ill.

In order now to hang the shelf beneath a hoist, the gates II are first swung outwardly into the position in Figure 2 and then the shelf lifted up under the cross connected beams or rails I 'I of the hoist or rack. By then turning the gates up and fastening the hooks I3 over the edges of the rail flanges I8 at both ends, the shelf will hang conveniently to carry needed implements, as drain buckets I9 and the like to be handy for the workmen.

The shelf is now ready for use as for draining out motor oil or draining transmission, differential gear cases and so forth, and may be of great use for all repairs and changes on a vehicle.

It is to be understood that the invention as herein disclosed may be varied from the details described and shown without departure from the spirit of the subjoined claim.

I claim:

A portable and foldable shelf for suspension from and between two spaced, long members, comprising a relatively long flat floor member, a pair of upstanding links secured to each end of the floor member adjacent to a longitudinal edge thereof, a relatively long flat band member pivotally hinged at one end to each link and having its other end extended at an angle to form a suspension hook, and a bar member extending across and connecting together each two adjacent band members whereby to secure the two in operative relation and provide hand holds for use in handling the shelf, the said hooks being extended in a direction whereby those at one end of the shelf will be in opposed relation with those at the opposite end of the shelf when the band members at the ends of the shelf are in Working position.

THOS. M. HUGHES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 754,369 Harbour Mar. 8, 1904 889,844 Beach June 2, 1908 957,890 Krejci May 17, 1910 1,751,198 Franck Mar. 18, 1930 2,313,594 Smith Mar. 9, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 195,717 Great Britain Apr. 3, 1923 274,201 Great Britain July 18, 1927 

